Category Archives: Bertha Lewis

Tuesday brought the Democratic primaries for governor and lieutenant governor to a close. Zephyr Teachout and Tim Wu, defeated by Andrew Cuomo and Kathy Hochul, hosted their supporters at an election night party in Hell’s Kitchen.

We spoke with each them after their speeches.

Teachout:

I began by asking Teachout whether she had spoken with Andrew Cuomo and whether she plans to endorse or support him in the general election.

Wu:

I began by asking Wu for any overriding or impression from the campaign, as well as any disappointments. I also asked whether he had called Kathy Hochul to concede.

Activist and de Blasio ally Bertha Lewis today endorsed Zephyr Teachout and Tim Wu for governor and lieutenant governor. Lewis joined Teachout and Wu at a press conference outside the Brooklyn courthouse where arguments were heard today in Cuomo’s appeal of a state supreme court ruling that Teachout meets the residency requirements for governor set forth in the state constitution.

Lewis, a long time activist who headed ACORN until it’s dissolution, was highly critical of Governor Cuomo. She was also critical, albeit while emphasizing their continuing close relationship, of Mayor de Blasio’s efforts at helping Cuomo win the Working Families Party nomination.

Here are excerpts from Lewis’s opening statement and the Q&A:

Update – Israel:

Teachout was twice asked about Israel; once about Governor Cuomo’s recent visit and once about Israel’s broad challenges. She avoided answering both times, immediately pivoting to discussions of the election, Governor Cuomo and debates.